Classic music: how Vienna became its capital
Classic music: how Vienna became its capital
Why is Vienna the capital of classic music? Who was involved? When did it reach its peak level? And which composers came from Vienna? The answers to these questions and what the Habsburgs had to do with it can be found in this blog post.
How it all began
The history of the Viennese classic music goes back to the Habsburgs because they laid the foundation for it. The Habsburgs ruled large parts of Europe and saw themselves as promoters and bearers of European art and culture. music was regarded as an expression of power and prestige. Not only were local composers like the Habsburg emperor Leopold I. but also important composers were brought to Vienna. Antonio Vivaldi came all the way to Vienna, he died here too. Ludwig van Beethoven came from Bonn to learn from Mozart but it is not proven whether the two had ever met. Willibald Gluck from Germany and Anton Bruckner from Upper Austria also travelled to the federal capital. Genuine Viennese were among others Franz Schubert or Johann Strauss father and sons. For many centuries, renowned composers were and still are to be found in Vienna.
The peak of Viennese classic music
In the 18th century - between 1780 and 1830 - Viennese classic music reached its peak level. Although the founders of Viennese classic music were not born here, after the music genre was strongly promoted the Vienna Court, Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart moved to Vienna. Its classic music always had a particular scheme of composing that made it well-known worldwide. A piece of music was interspersed with a certain theme and was modified again and again. Symphonies and sonatas were modified and the string quartet was added, all four which were equal - two violins, a violoncello and a viola. Concerts and symphonies were also typical for Viennese classic music.
Today's Viennese classic music
Vienna is known internationally not only for the composers mentioned before, but also for the State opera, the music society with the New Year's Concert and above all the Vienna Philharmonic. Vienna deserves the title "Centre of European Music" rightly. To this day, the music tradition is passed on from one composer to another. These composers continue to uphold the founders of Viennese classic music by performing their most popular pieces of music.
Now you have a brief insight into how the Viennese Classic has been regarded internationally and continues to this day. If you want to learn more about the classic music of our Capital, we have the perfect book here. To give you a glimpse: among other things you will learn why the term "Vienna Classic" is used different in Austria and Germany and how it came to this term.